Human communication and interaction comprise a wide
range of verbal and nonverbal cues. Further adoption of
novel telecommunication methods such as e-mail, chat,
instant messaging (IM), mobile phone SMS text
messaging, and videoconferencing; have augmented
our mediated interaction abilities. However, a
significant (and important) amount of human
expression and interaction information is never
captured, transmitted, or expressed with current
computer mediated communication (CMC) tools. We
also lack ambient methods of maintaining contact when
not co-located with family and friends. Communal
Interfaces is a new research effort aimed at the study
of nonverbal human cues: their intent, motion,
meaning, subtleties, and importance in communication.
In this paper we address issues involved in the design,
construction, and evaluation of Connexus, one such
communal interface.